Accountants for the Self-Employed
Accountants for the self-employed
Sole trader bookkeeping, self-assessment returns and the right answers when you outgrow it. We look after thousands of self-employed people across the UK — and tell you straight when it is time to think about going limited.
What we do for self-employed clients
Whether you have just registered as a sole trader, you have been self-employed for years, or you are running a side-hustle alongside a PAYE job, we make the tax side simple. Fixed fees from the start. Xero or spreadsheet — your choice. UK-wide.
Self-assessment that is done early
We file your SA tax return cleanly, claim every legitimate expense, and tell you the bill in plenty of time before January. No last-minute panic.
Tax that is planned, not just calculated
Annual review of allowances, expenses, pension contributions, payments on account, and whether the moment has come to incorporate. Real planning, not just compliance.
What is included
- Self-assessment tax return — prepared, reviewed with you, filed on time
- Sole trader accounts when you need them (mortgage references, business loans)
- VAT registration, returns and MTD compliance when you cross the £90k threshold
- Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance worked out properly
- Payments on account explained — and reduced where appropriate
- CIS registration and verification for construction sub-contractors
- Side-income returns for PAYE earners with a second income stream
- Quarterly MTD returns once you are in scope (April 2026 for £50k+ income)
- Annual tax planning — pension, allowances, family income shifting
- Honest advice on when sole trader stops working and Limited Co becomes worthwhile
Why people choose us
Fixed fees
You pay the same monthly amount whether you ring once a year or once a week. No clock-watching.
Cloud-first
We work in Xero. Receipts captured with Apron. Quarterly figures available any time you log in. No dropping carrier-bags of receipts in January.
Real advice when you need it
From “should I register for VAT” to “is it time to go limited” to “can I claim my home office” — we answer the questions properly, in plain English.
Frequently asked questions
I just started — when do I need to register as self-employed?
Within three months of your first month of trading. The penalty for late registration is small for the first year but it grows fast. We can register you with HMRC in 5 minutes if you have not done it yet.
What expenses can I claim as a sole trader?
Anything wholly and exclusively for the business — equipment, software, mileage, a portion of home costs if you work from home, professional subscriptions, training in your existing trade, and many more. We send a checklist when you sign up.
When should I think about going Limited?
Common triggers: profit consistently above £40k, taking on bigger contracts, wanting limited liability protection, planning to reinvest rather than spend everything, planning to bring in a co-founder. We model the numbers either way before you decide.
Will Making Tax Digital affect me?
Yes — from April 2026 if your combined self-employment and property income is over £50k, and from April 2027 if it is over £30k. You will need digital records and quarterly submissions. We handle the whole thing as part of our standard service.
I have a PAYE job and a side-hustle. Do I need a tax return?
If your side-income is over £1,000 (the trading allowance), yes. We do plenty of these — straightforward returns combining your P60 plus the self-employment income, often with a small refund for expenses you forgot.
Two tools to help — work out your full SA bill (Class 2, Class 4, IT) and decide whether incorporating to a Ltd Co would beat sole trader.
Want a fixed-fee quote?
Book a free 30-minute call. We will look at your situation, your current admin, what you need, and quote a clear monthly fee. No obligation.